Pierella

Pierella
Pierella astyoche Muséum de Toulouse
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Haeterini
Genus: Pierella
Westwood, 1851
Type species
Papilio nereis
Drury, 1782
Diversity
11 species
Synonyms

Antirrhaea Westwood, 1851
Pieris Hübner, [1819] (non Schrank, 1801: preoccupied)

Pierella is a butterfly genus from the subfamily Satyrinae in the family Nymphalidae found from Mexico through Central America to South America. The species of Pierella have larger hindwings than forewings, unique among butterflies. The oval green flash on the forewing is also unique. It is caused by diffraction, the wing scales forming a diffraction grating.

Their caterpillars have been found on the host plants Heliconia and Calathea.

Species and subspecies

References

  1. White-barred Lady Slipper, Learn about Butterflies
  2. Golden Lady Slipper, Learn about Butterflies
  3. Sulzer's Lady Slipper, Learn about Butterflies

External links

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